BEST SURFING BEACHES ON OAHU

The best surfing beaches on Oahu are not only located on the north shore, they are all over the island depending on the time of year. Each year surfing enthusiasts and curious observers flock to Oahu’s famous surfing beaches for a taste of the best wave riding in the world. In the winter months, from November through March, big sets of waves roll onto the northern and western shores of Oahu generated by storms in the North Pacific. These big waves make it possible for Oahu’s North Shore to hold the world’s largest professional surfing competitions. In the Summer months, May through September, surfers head to the Island’s southern and eastern shores, where ocean swells arrive from storms in the South Pacific.

Sunset beach is known for it’s spectacular and dangerous winter surf. This is the site of the second surfing contest in the legendary Triple Crown of Surfing Championships on Oahu’s North Shore every December.

This beach is also a great spot to sit and watch the sunset. That is why it is called Sunset Beach. This truely is one of the best surfing beaches on Oahu.

Waimea Bay

Waimea Bay is a huge beach with a picnic area and sits at the mouth of the stream that flows out of Waimea Adventure Park. Each winter Waimea hosts the world’s most prestigious Big-wave surfing competition in memory of Eddie Aikau. This competition is only held when the waves exceed 20 feet.

Haleiwa’s Ali’I Beach

Haleiwa’s Ali’I Beach is the site of the first surfing contest in the legendary Triple Crown of Surfing Championships on Oahu’s North Shore every December. This park is good for large gatherings, picnics and swimming in the summer months.

‘Ehukai Beach

‘Ehukai Beach is another one of the best surfing beaches on Oahu. It is home of the famous Banzai Pipeline surf break. This beach is known for it’s spectacular and dangerous winter surf. This is the site of the final surfing contest in the legendary Triple Crown of Surfing Championships on Oahu’s North Shore every December.

SOUTH OAHU BEACHES

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Beach Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Beach are the home of the original Waikiki Beach boys and the playground of famous wave rider and Olympic swimming Gold Medalist Duke Kahanamoku. This two mile long beach is the heart of Hawaii’s busiest visitor district. Offshore you will find some of the best summer surf breaks on the island. The best spot is Ala Moana Bowls.

WEST OAHU BEACHES

Makaha Beach Park

Makaha Beach Park is marked by a large rock called lahi lahi. This beach is famous for it’s clean surf breaks and annual long board surf contests. Since winter brings big waves, you should only swim here in the summer months.

Yokohama Bay

Yokohama Bay is at the end of a long road and is a pretty isolated beach that is popular with the locals. The waves here are pretty impressive during the winter months. During the summer months, dolphins like to play in this area.

SOUTHEAST OAHU BEACHES

Makapu’u Beach

Makapu’u Beach is located below Makapu’u Point and Makapu’u lighthouse. This beach is famous for it’s favorable bodysurfing and body boarding conditions. It is not recommended for beginners because it is known to have a dangerous shore break.

Sandy Beach

Sandy Beach is also a popular bodysurfing and body boarding spot known for it’s dangerous shore break. This beach is also not recommended for beginners. Sandy Beach and Makapu’u Beach have the most surfing related injuries in Hawaii every year.